Has anyone used divinycell for a foam core. I've never seen any but it is described as being perforated and scored for epoxy to run through. One of my questions is whether these will show up in the finished product (not using top or bottom sheet material... just glass). Another would be whether or not to anticipate this material using/needing resin in addition to what is requred for the fabric.

thanks

Yes . It will not show up in the finished board .Its perforated for use with resin infusion .Always wet out your core first. I would not use it for a core as it has a tendancy to break within the laminates without you knowing .

Thanks crabman! Can you suggest an alternative for the core and a good supplier... this is the last thing I need to source for my board!

thanks

I'd have to agree with crabman on both counts.
if you dont plan to do vacuum infusion dont get material with a scored surface.

divinicell is a cross-linked pvc foam which tends to be too brittle for high flex conditions like kite boards

linear pvcs like airex and corecell have better flex or 'allowable strain' properties

this link is a pretty good description of the various types of core materials:
http://boatdesign.net/articles/foam-cor ... /index.htm

-bill

Thanks Guys. So, if I were vacuum infusing… would I need, or would it be better suited, to have whatever core material I use to be perforated and scored? I’m not by the way, but I am vacuum bagging. But perhaps in the not so far future I may play with vacuum infusion, so I’m curious.

OK.. finally I found a supplier for airex…. I think… It wasn’t easy. It’s made by ATLComposites in Australia. They don’t sell it direct but list all of their international distributors. There is only one in the States. I got no reply from the email listed. I ended up emailing all of the listed distributors. Got only a few replys… mostly from the asian market. None of whom shipped to the US. I got no reply from ATLComposites’ main listing in Australia…. And then a week or so later I got a mysterious email from someone who said they “heard I was looking for Airexâ€Â

i would not worry about airex if you can source it.
the fact that it is not a high temp foam should not be on your short list of requirements , unless you plan on using prepregs that require elevated temps for curing.
dont use it for engine enclosures and dont let it bake in your car on a hot day.

core-cell does seem easier to find.
jamestown distributers in the NE
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/main.do

fiberglass supply in the NW
http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product ... talog.html

fiberglast supply (somewhere else for composite materials)
but also has lots of tutorials regarding construction techniques and materials
http://www.fibreglast.com/

a different twist , but my all time favorite construction thread:
http://www.swaylocks.com/forum/gforum.c ... t=16269854

-bill

Thanks Bill Great construction thread